The disappearance of Alain Karenzi and his relative Musoni has sent shockwaves through Rwanda, raising serious concerns about their safety and the motives behind their sudden vanishing. The two men were reportedly arrested on 14 August 2022 by the country’s intelligence services. Since then, no information about their whereabouts or condition has been disclosed, despite frantic efforts by their families to locate them.

Karenzi’s and Musoni’s families immediately began searching for them, visiting police stations across Kigali. However, in a troubling twist, the police consistently denied ever having arrested or detained them. This lack of information has only deepened the mystery and added to the growing anxiety surrounding the case.

Adding to the unease, two prominent Rwandan news outlets, Igihe.com and Kigali Today, initially broke the news of Karenzi’s and Musoni’s disappearance. Both publications suggested that the two men might have joined rebel groups operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a claim that their families vehemently deny. Strangely, these articles were deleted just four days after they were published, leading to speculation that the media outlets were pressured to remove the reports.

The deletion of these stories has only intensified fears that the case involves more than just a routine investigation. For many observers, this situation echoes a pattern of disappearances and targeted killings that have plagued Rwanda in recent years.

Over the past decade, Rwanda has faced numerous allegations of abducting, detaining, or even assassinating individuals suspected of opposing the government or collaborating with opposition groups. Many of these cases remain unresolved, with victims either turning up dead or vanishing entirely. Karenzi’s and Musoni’s disappearance appears to follow this disturbing trend, adding to the growing list of unresolved and opaque incidents.

As the days pass, fear mounts for Karenzi and Musoni’s safety. Their families remain in a state of anguish, desperately hoping for any news that might confirm they are alive and well. For now, their fate remains unknown, shrouded in the same mystery that has surrounded too many similar cases in Rwanda.

Once again, this case highlights the urgent need for transparency and accountability in situations involving alleged political repression. The international community and local advocates must call for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth about what has happened to Alain Karenzi and Musoni. Let us hope their families find them safe and sound, and that justice prevails.